Da Nang Airport Extensions Need US$265mil

Monday, December 22, 2003 11:50:52 
 
Da Nang Airport Extensions Need US$265mil 
Vietnam Economic Times, Vietnam


Extensive plans to upgrade Da Nang International Airport by 2020 have been 
drawn up, with costs estimated to run up to VND4,020bil (US$265mil).

In its current state, Da Nang airport's infrastructure would be unable to serve 
the expected 4mil passengers in 2015.

One of the main details in the plan is for runway upgrades to meet 
international norms of the 4E standard, which facilitate larger aircraft, such 
as Boeing 747 or Boeing 777.

Space for aircraft parking will increase by approximately 302,000 square metres 
from the current 48,000 square metres, including four 4E-level lots (15,000 
square metres per lot) and eight 4D-level lots (10,000 square metres per lot).

Terminals will also be enlarged to cover several times their current area.

The already high numbers of passengers through Da Nang airport is expected to 
increase day by day, as the city clinches its position as an economic, 
political and cultural centre in the central region. Moreover, the city is 
flush with advantages in geographic location in the East-West Economic 
Corridor, and is a transit point for the three world heritage sites of Hue, Hoi 
An and My Son.

In its current state, the airport's infrastructure would be unable to serve the 
expected 4mil passengers in 2015, and 6mil in 2020, Dong Si Nghiem, Deputy 
General Director of the Central Airport Complex projected.

Mr Nghiem said in 2001 and 2002, passengers passing through Da Nang 
International Airport saw a 25% year-on-year increase. The figure for 2003 is 
expected to reach 1.3mil, including 200,000 foreign passengers. The volume of 
goods transported via the airport is estimated to rise by 20,000 tonnes.

Some direct international flights were launched in this year, including the Da 
Nang – Bangkok, Da Nang – Phnom Penh, Da Nang – Taipei routes. Most 
recently, the Da Nang – Hong Kong flight was offered after a period of 
interruption due to SARS. In 2004-2005, some new routes will be opened, 
including the flights from Da Nang to Australia and North-East Asian countries, 
including the Republic of Korea and Japan.

Mr Nghiem said the extensions are an important base for economic and social 
development in the region. As such, the project is seeking Government support 
for its implementation.
 
 
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